System and method for image specific illumination of image printed on optical waveguide

ABSTRACT

A display device component includes an optical waveguide having a surface; a first material formed on a portion of the surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formed on a portion of the first material. The first material has light scattering properties.

BACKGROUND

Various transparent materials have been conventionally used as opticalwaveguides for optical total internal reflection. Examples of suchoptical waveguides are optical fibers and sheets of acrylic or glass.

However, total internal reflection can be “frustrated” on an image-wisebasis by engraving marks in the surface of the optical medium (opticalwaveguide) so that the internally reflecting light partially externallyrefracts and escapes the optical waveguide. Engraving marks in thesurface of the optical medium enables the production of a variety ofoptical signs where the image appears to “hover” in space.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional edge lit sign wherein a piece of acrylic 10is edge lit with a light source (LEDS) 20. The light is internallyreflected within the acrylic 10 except where the light encountersengraved regions (11, 12, and 13) that introduce interface angles (asillustrated in FIG. 2), between acrylic 10 and air. The interfaceangles, formed by the engraving process, “frustrate” internal reflectionand allow light to escape the acrylic 10 at these points (11, 12, and13). The effect of this type of imaging is striking since the lightseems to originate in the engraved images (11, 12, and 13).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, light 25 from a light source is totallyreflected within the optical waveguide 10 until it encounters anengraved section 11. At the engraved section 11, a portion of the light25 is frustrated and is refracted out of the optical waveguide asescaped light 27. This refraction at the engraved section 11 causes thelight to appear to originate in the engraved image section 11.

However, there are disadvantages to this approach. First, since thecolor of the light is the color of the illumination source, the imagestend to be monochromatic.

This limitation can be overcome, as illustrated in FIG. 3, by usingseveral pieces of acrylic or optical waveguides (10, 16, and 18), eachetched with an image (11, 125, and 135) associated with a specific colorand illuminated with that a light source (20, 22, and 24) of that color.

This solution is complicated and requires several pieces of etchedoptical waveguides and several sources of edge illumination.

A second disadvantage is that laser engraving machines draw lines, notrasterized halftone patterns. Thus, laser engraving limits theengravings to line art and cannot provide shading and/or density levelsthat halftoning can provide.

A third disadvantage of utilizing laser engraving is that once the imageis engraved, the optical waveguide cannot be re-used for other images.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a system or process that enables theemanation of an image having multiple distinct colors from a surface ofsingle optical waveguide.

It is further desirable to provide a system or process that that enablesthe emanation of an image with variable shading or variable lightdensity levels from a surface of single optical waveguide.

It is also desirable to provide a system or process that enables theemanation of an image having multiple distinct colors from a surface ofsingle optical waveguide while maintaining the re-usability of theoptical waveguide to emanation other images.

It is additionally desirable to provide a system or process that thatenables the emanation of an image with variable shading or variablelight density levels from a surface of single optical waveguide whilemaintaining the re-usability of the optical waveguide to emanation otherimages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional engraved optical waveguide displaysystem;

FIG. 2 illustrates an engraved area of the conventional engraved opticalwaveguide display device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional multi-color engraved optical waveguidedisplay system;

FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of Snell's law of refraction;

FIG. 5 illustrates refraction of light at the interface between twomedia;

FIG. 6 illustrates an optical waveguide display system utilizing markingmaterials to display an image;

FIG. 7 illustrates the scattering and refracting characteristics of theoptical waveguide display system utilizing marking material of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates an optical waveguide display system utilizing amarking material having a rough surface to display an image;

FIG. 9 illustrates the refracting characteristics of the opticalwaveguide display system utilizing marking material of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a table showing angle values for various optical paths forlight travelling through the optical waveguide of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a table showing angle values for various optical paths forlight travelling through the optical waveguide of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 illustrates an optical waveguide display system displaying animage having multiple distinct colors from a surface of a single opticalwaveguide;

FIG. 13 illustrates an optical waveguide having a front side image and abackside image thereon;

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of an optical waveguide having afront side image and a backside image thereon;

FIG. 15 illustrates an additional embodiment of an optical waveguidehaving a front side image and a backside image thereon;

FIG. 16 illustrates a further embodiment of an optical waveguide havinga front side image and a backside image thereon;

FIG. 17 illustrates an optical waveguide display system displaying athree-dimensional image;

FIG. 18 illustrates an optical waveguide utilizing marking materials tocreate an image and a white background;

FIG. 19 illustrates an optical waveguide utilizing a marking materialhaving a rough surface pre-printed on a transparent medium;

FIG. 20 illustrates an optical waveguide utilizing marking materialspre-printed on a transparent medium;

FIG. 21 illustrates an optical waveguide having a front side roughsurface image and a backside two layer marking material image thereon;

FIG. 22 illustrates an optical waveguide display system displaying animage having white background and a color or black image therein from asurface of a single optical waveguide;

FIG. 23 illustrates an optical waveguide display system displaying ablack and white image, printed using a white marking material, from asurface of a single optical waveguide;

FIG. 24 illustrates multiple optical waveguides to create edgeilluminated three-dimensional image/object display;

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary printing system configured to print ona three-dimensional object.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate other embodiments of the printing system ofFIG. 25 that use a double support member to enable movement of objectspast an array of print heads;

FIG. 28 illustrates a cabinet within which one of the embodiments shownin FIG. 26 or FIG. 27 can be installed;

FIG. 29 through FIG. 32 illustrate the object holder and the moveablymounted member shown in FIG. 26 or FIG. 27;

FIG. 33 through FIG. 41 illustrate various configurations of objectholders shown in FIG. 26 or FIG. 27 for holding different types ofobjects;

FIG. 42 illustrates an embodiment of the printing system that is usefulin a manufacturing environment;

FIG. 43 illustrates an embodiment of an object holder in the printingsystem of FIG. 25 that enables a media sheet to be printed with a testpattern to verify configuration of the system;

FIG. 44 illustrates an embodiment of a member that is selectivelyattachable to an object holder in the printing system of FIG. 25 toenable a test pattern to be printed on a surface of the member to verifyconfiguration of the system;

FIG. 45 illustrates a conventional optical waveguide having a rough cutedge;

FIG. 46 illustrates an optical waveguide having a conventional rough cutedge smoothed with a marking material to create a smooth opticalwaveguide light source interface; and

FIG. 47 illustrates an optical waveguide having a conventional engravedimage smoothed with a marking material to create a smooth opticalwaveguide surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a general understanding, reference is made to the drawings. In thedrawings, in some instances, like references have been used throughoutto designate identical or equivalent elements. It is also noted that thedrawings may not have been drawn to scale and that certain regions mayhave been purposely drawn disproportionately so that the features andconcepts may be properly illustrated.

As noted above, optical waveguides have been utilized to provide avehicle to display images. The displaying of the images utilizes theprinciples of Snell's Law.

According to Snell's Law, the critical angle is the angle of incidencefor which the angle of refraction is 90°. The angle of incidence ismeasured with respect to the normal (z-axis) at the refractive boundary,as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a light ray passes from glass (n₁) into air(n₂). The light emanating from the interface (x-axis) is bent (angleθ_(t)) towards the glass (n₁). When the incident angle (angle θ_(i)) isincreased sufficiently, the transmitted angle (in air) reaches 90degrees. It is at this point no light is transmitted into air. Thecritical angle θ_(c) is given by Snell's law:n ₁ sin θ_(i) =n ₂ sin θ_(t)

To determine the angle of incidence for no refraction, Snell's Law isrearranged as follows:

${\sin\;\theta_{i}} = {\frac{n_{2}}{n_{1}}\sin\;\theta_{t}}$

To find the critical angle, solve for the value for θ_(i) whenθ_(t)=90°, and thus, sin θ_(t)=1 sin θ_(t)=1. The resulting value ofθ_(i) is equal to the critical angle θ_(c).

Solving for θ_(i), the equation for the critical angle is as follows:

$\theta_{c} = {\theta_{i} = {{{\arcsin\left( \frac{n_{2}}{n_{1}} \right)}\theta_{c}} = {\theta_{i} = {\arcsin\left( \frac{n_{2}}{n_{1}} \right)}}}}$

If the incident ray is precisely at the critical angle θ_(c), therefracted ray is tangent to the boundary at the point of incidence(x-axis in FIG. 4).

For example, if light was traveling through an optical waveguide; suchas acrylic or glass; (with an index of refraction of 1.55) into air(with an index of refraction of 1.00), the calculation would give thecritical angle for light from the optical waveguide into air as follows:

$\theta_{c} = {{\arcsin\left( \frac{1.00}{1.55} \right)} = 41.8}$

In this example, light incident on the border (x-axis in FIG. 4) with anangle less than 41.8°, with respect to normal (z-axis in FIG. 4), willbe partially transmitted, while light incident on the border at largerangles, with respect to normal (z-axis in FIG. 4), would be totallyinternally reflected.

It is noted that if the fraction n₂/n₁ is greater than 1, the arcsine isnot defined, meaning that total internal reflection does not occur evenat very shallow or grazing incident angles. The critical angle is onlydefined when n₂/n₁ is less than or equal to 1.

FIG. 5 shows another example of refraction of light at the interfacebetween two mediums (air and water). As illustrated in FIG. 5, when theincident angle θ₁ of light travelling from water to air is less than thecritical angle θ_(c), the light is refracted at angle θ₂. On the otherhand, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the incident angle θ₁ of lighttravelling from water to air is the critical angle θ_(c), the light isrefracted to travel parallel to the water/air interface. Lastly, asillustrated in FIG. 5, when the incident angle θ₁ of light travellingfrom water to air greater than the critical angle θ_(c), the light isreflected at angle θ₂ to cause a total internal reflection of theincident light.

An alternative to the conventional engraving of an image on atransparent medium (optical waveguide) is to print directly onto thetransparent medium (optical waveguide) with marking materials, such asliquid inks, UV curable inks, toners, solid inks, etc., using a printingsystem.

In the various embodiments described below, an optical waveguide havingan index of refraction significantly different from the surroundingmedium (such as air) is utilized. For example, an optical waveguide madeof acrylic having an index of refraction of about 1.5 may be utilizedwhen the surrounding medium is air, having an index of refraction ofabout 1.

Moreover, in the various embodiments described below, marking materialshaving an index of refraction substantially equal to the index ofrefraction of the optical waveguide is utilized.

For example, a marking material having an index of refraction of about1.4 may be utilized when the underlying optical waveguide has an indexof refraction of about 1.5.

Given the examples discussed above, there are certain angles of lightincidence (such as light emanating from a LED source) that cause theincident light to be totally internally reflected at an opticalwaveguide-air boundary, but partially externally refracted at an opticalwaveguide-marking material(s) boundary.

These differences in indices of refraction enable the containment of theincident light within the optical waveguide in regions where thereis(are) no marking material(s), while releasing light in regions wherethere is(are) marking material(s).

Upon having the light enter the marking material, to realizeillumination of the image, the light or a portion thereof must exit themarking material so as to prevent the light from being totallyinternally reflected at the marking material-air interface.

More specifically, if the top surface of the marking material is smooth,the angles of incidence at the marking material-air interface are suchthat the light will internally reflect within the marking material andnot exit into the air and towards the viewer.

To enable the refraction of the light at the marking material-airinterface to enable the light to exit the marking material, FIG. 6illustrates an optical waveguide 10, wherein a white marking material 40is printed on a viewing (30) surface of the optical waveguide 10.Thereafter, another (colored) marking material 50 is printed on top ofthe white marking material 40.

It is noted that the marking material 40 may be a clear marking materialwith light scattering properties or light scattering particles embeddedtherein.

It is further noted that the marking material 40 has light scatteringproperties or has light scattering particles embedded therein so thatthe incident light, from a light source 20, is scattered at multipleangles so that at least one of the angles of the scattered light will beincidence upon the marking material-air interface at an angle less thanthe critical angle so that the light may exit the marking material 50into the air.

It is noted that the index of refraction of the white marking material40 is substantially equal to the index of refraction of the opticalwaveguide 10 so that light will exit the optical waveguide 10 andpenetrate the white marking material 40.

The white marking material 40 causes the entering light to scatter inall directions, some of which will exit the white marking material 40,travel in a straight line through the marking material 50 because theindex of refraction of the white marking material 40 is substantiallyequal to the index of refraction of the marking material 50. Based uponthe angle of incidence, some of the light entering the marking material50 will externally refract at the marking material-air interface andtravel towards the viewer (30).

FIG. 7 is a graphical illustration of the pathway of light in theprinted on optical waveguide 10 of FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 7,incidence light 25 is internally reflected within the optical waveguide10. At the optical waveguide-white marking material interface, since theindex of refraction of the white marking material 40 is substantiallyequal to the index of refraction of the optical waveguide 10, theincidence light 25 will exit the optical waveguide 10 and penetrate thewhite marking material 40.

Upon encountering an embedded scattering particle 45, the incidencelight 25 is scattered at multiple angles to create scattered light 26.At the white marking material-marking material interface, since theindex of refraction of the white marking material 40 is substantiallyequal to the index of refraction of the marking material 50, thescattered light 26 will exit the white marking material 40 and penetratethe marking material 50.

At the marking material-air interface, since the index of refraction ofthe marking material 50 is substantially different from the index ofrefraction of air, light 27 (refracted) will exit the marking material50 into the air when the angle of incidence of the scattered light 26 isless than the critical angle of the marking material-air interface.

Moreover, to enable the refraction of the light at the markingmaterial-air interface to enable the light to exit the marking material,FIG. 8 illustrates another example of an optical waveguide 10, wherein a(colored) marking material 50 is printed on a viewing (30) surface ofthe optical waveguide 10. In this embodiment, a top surface 55 of themarking material 50 is formed so that the top surface 55 is rough,emulating an engraved surface.

It is noted that the index of refraction of the marking material 50 issubstantially equal to the index of refraction of the optical waveguide10 so that light, from a light source 20, will exit the opticalwaveguide 10 and penetrate the marking material 50.

Thus, based upon the angle of incidence of the light interacting withthe rough surface of the marking material-air interface, some of thelight entering the marking material 50 will externally refract at themarking material-air interface and travel towards the viewer (30).

FIG. 9 is a graphical illustration of the pathway of light in theprinted on optical waveguide 10 of FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 9,incidence light 25 is internally reflected within the optical waveguide10.

At the optical waveguide-marking material interface, since the index ofrefraction of the marking material 50 is substantially equal to theindex of refraction of the optical waveguide 10, the incidence light 25will exit the optical waveguide 10 and penetrate the marking material50.

At the marking material-air interface, since the index of refraction ofthe marking material 50 is substantially different from the index ofrefraction of air, light 27 (refracted) will exit the marking material50 into the air when the angle of incidence of the light 25 is less thanthe critical angle of the encountered surface of the markingmaterial-air interface.

FIG. 10 is a table providing a summary of the various optical pathsthrough an optical waveguide, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Morespecially, the optical path is defined as light entering the opticalwaveguide on the left from an illumination source (LED).

The light is then refracted at an air-optical waveguide interface andinternally reflected at multiple optical waveguide-air interfaces forall angles. The light is partially externally refracted at the opticalwaveguide-white marking material interface, for some angles, andscattered by the scattering particles in the white marking material.

The scattered light travels straight through the colored markingmaterial (since the marking materials have similar indices ofrefraction) and then, since the scattering created many angles ofincidence at the colored marking material-air boundary, much of thelight exits the colored marking material and travels towards the viewer.

As shown in FIG. 10, on the far left, light enters the optical waveguide(for example, from an LED) with angles of incidence θ_(i) ranging from 0to 90 degrees. The shown refracted angles θ_(r1) are computed on thebasis of Snell's law. The rays of light along the θ_(r1) paths strike anoptical waveguide-air boundary such that for all possible θ_(r1), thelight will be totally internally reflected within the optical waveguide(indicated by #NUM! in dashed boxes 61). The value, #NUM!, indicatesthat there is no solution for a refracted ray.

After bouncing back and forth within the optical waveguide, the lightrays will strike the optical waveguide-white marking material boundaryat the same angles as it had struck the optical waveguide-air boundary.

However, since the difference in index of refraction between air (1.0)and the white marking material (for example, 1.4) and depending on theangle of incidence, some of the light is externally refracted into thewhite marking material instead of being internally reflected within theoptical waveguide. The cells within the dashed boxes 62 in FIG. 10identify the light rays that will be completely internally reflected atthe optical waveguide-air interface and partially externally refractedat the optical waveguide-white marking material interface. Thus, lightwill enter the white marking material.

Since the white marking material scatters light at a variety of angles,these rays of scattered light then travel directly through the coloredmarking material because the colored marking material and white markingmaterial have similar indices of refraction. Due to the many angles ofincidence on the colored marking material-air boundary, many rays willnot internally reflect, but will be externally refracted and seen by theviewer.

FIG. 11 is a table providing a summary of the various optical pathsthrough an optical waveguide, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Morespecially, the optical path is defined as light entering the opticalwaveguide on the left from an illumination source (LED). The light isthen refracted at an air-optical waveguide interface and internallyreflected at multiple optical waveguide-air interfaces for all angles.The light is partially externally refracted at the opticalwaveguide-marking material interface for some angles.

The externally refracted light travels through the marking material, andthen, since marking material has a rough surface, creating many anglesof incidence at the marking material-air boundary, much of the lightexits the marking material and travels towards the viewer.

As shown in FIG. 11, on the far left, light enters the optical waveguide(for example, from an LED) with angles of incidence θ_(i) ranging from 0to 90 degrees. The shown refracted angles θ_(r1) are computed on thebasis of Snell's law. The rays of light along the θ_(r1) paths strike anoptical waveguide-air boundary such that for all possible θ_(r1), thelight will be totally internally reflected within the optical waveguide(indicated by #NUM! in dashed boxes 63). The value, #NUM!, indicatesthat there is no solution for a refracted ray.

After bouncing back and forth within the optical waveguide, the lightrays will strike the optical waveguide-marking material boundary at thesame angles as it had struck the optical waveguide-air boundary.

However, since the difference in index of refraction between air (1.0)and the marking material (for example, 1.4) and depending on the angleof incidence, some of the light is externally refracted into the markingmaterial instead of being internally reflected within the opticalwaveguide.

The cells within the dashed boxes 64 in FIG. 11 identify the light raysthat will be completely internally reflected at the opticalwaveguide-air interface and partially externally refracted at theoptical waveguide-marking material interface. Thus, light will enter themarking material.

Since the marking material has a rough surface, it produces a variety ofangles of incidence. Due to the many angles of incidence on the markingmaterial-air boundary, many rays will not internally reflect, but willbe externally refracted and seen by the viewer.

In other words, if the top surface of the marking material is smooth,all of the light entering the marking material will be totallyinternally reflected at the marking material-air boundary. However,light will escape the marking material is if the angle of interface ismodified due to surface roughness.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the angle of incidence of the light rays (thecells within the dashed box 65) striking the marking material-airboundary quantify the effect of surface roughness.

Thus, the surface roughness causes some of the light to be externallyrefracted at the marking material-air boundary and exit the markingmaterial towards the viewer.

These cells of dashed box 65 can be traced across the table, starting ata certain angle of incidence from the LED, internally reflected wherethere is no marking material, refracting into the marking material, andthen refracting out of the marking material due to the surfaceroughness.

It is noted that surface roughness of the printed marking material canbe enhanced through halftoning.

FIG. 12 illustrates an optical waveguide display system, wherein anoptical waveguide 10, when illuminated by a light source 20, displaysprinted on images 110, 1120, and 113. Since the images 110, 1120, and113 are printed onto the optical waveguide 10, the images can bedifferent colors and not rely upon the color of the light source 20 todefine their color.

Moreover, the images 110, 1120, and 113 may comprise the dual markingmaterial construction of FIGS. 6 and 7 or the marking material withrough surface construction of FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates an optical waveguide display system, wherein anoptical waveguide 10, when illuminated by a light source 20, displaysimages printed on both sides of the optical waveguide 10. Since theimages are printed onto both sides of the optical waveguide 10, theimages are constructed differently depending upon the surface side ofthe optical waveguide 10 with respect to a viewing side 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, on a front surface of the optical waveguide10 (the viewing side 30), the image is constructed in the same manner asillustrated in FIG. 6, wherein a white marking material 40 is printedonto the front surface of the optical waveguide 10, followed by theprinting of a marking material 50.

When the image on the front surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (40 and 50) isviewed by the viewer 30.

As further illustrated in FIG. 13, on a back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10, the image is constructed in a different manner, wherein amarking material 55 is printed onto the back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10, followed by the printing of a white marking material 45.

When the image on the back surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (45 and 55) isviewed by the viewer 30.

It is noted that the thickness of the optical waveguide 10 can be suchto present the images at different depths, thereby making one image toappear to be floating in front of the other image.

FIG. 14 illustrates an optical waveguide display system, wherein anoptical waveguide 10, when illuminated by a light source 20, displaysimages printed on both sides of the optical waveguide 10 and can beobserved from both viewing sides (30 and 31). In this embodiment, theimages are printed onto both sides of the optical waveguide 10 using thesame construction.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, on a front surface of the optical waveguide10 (the viewing side 30), the image is constructed of a white markingmaterial 40 that is printed onto the front surface of the opticalwaveguide 10.

When the image on the front surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (40) on the frontsurface of the optical waveguide 10 is viewed by the viewer 30 andviewer 31.

As further illustrated in FIG. 14, on a back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10, the image is also constructed of a white marking material45 that is printed onto the back surface of the optical waveguide 10.

When the image on the back surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (45) on the backsurface of the optical waveguide 10 is viewed by the viewer 30 andviewer 31.

It is noted that the thickness of the optical waveguide 10 can be suchto present the images at different depths, thereby making one image toappear to be floating in front of the other image.

FIG. 15 illustrates an optical waveguide display system, wherein anoptical waveguide 10, when illuminated by a light source 20, displaysimages printed on both sides of the optical waveguide 10 and only oneviewing side can view both images. In this embodiment, the images areprinted onto both sides of the optical waveguide 10 using differentconstructions.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, on a front surface of the optical waveguide10 (the viewing side 30), the image is constructed in the same manner asillustrated in FIG. 6, wherein a white marking material 40 is printedonto the front surface of the optical waveguide 10, followed by theprinting of a marking material 50.

When the image on the front surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (40 and 50) can onlybe viewed by the viewer 30.

As further illustrated in FIG. 15, on a back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10, the image is also constructed of a white marking material45 that is printed onto the back surface of the optical waveguide 10.

When the image on the back surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (45) on the backsurface of the optical waveguide 10 can be viewed by the viewer 30 andviewer 31.

In other words, the embodiment of FIG. 15 enables both images to beviewed by viewer 30, but viewer 31 cannot view the image on the frontsurface of the optical waveguide 10.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the image printed on the frontsurface of the optical waveguide 10 can be a color image with a whitebackground and it is only viewable as a color image by viewer 30. On theother hand, the image printed on the back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10 is a monochrome image, which is viewable by viewer 30 andviewer 31.

It is noted that the thickness of the optical waveguide 10 can be suchto present the images at different depths, thereby making one image toappear to be floating in front of the other image.

FIG. 16 illustrates an optical waveguide display system, wherein anoptical waveguide 10, when illuminated by a light source 20, displaysimages printed on both sides of the optical waveguide 10. In thisembodiment, the images are printed onto both sides of the opticalwaveguide 10 using different constructions.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, on a front surface of the optical waveguide10 (the viewing side 30), the image is constructed, wherein a markingmaterial 50 is printed onto the front surface of the optical waveguide10.

As further illustrated in FIG. 16, on a back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10, the image is also constructed of a white marking material45 that is printed onto the back surface of the optical waveguide 10.

The image on the front surface of the optical waveguide 10 is notviewable alone. The back side image is viewable through the panel by theviewer 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the front image may be a color image withouta white background. The color image is typically not viewable alonebecause there is no scattering. The back side image is a monochromeimage created with white marking material 45, which is viewable byviewer 30 and viewer 31.

When the front image and the back image are assembled together, thefront side image becomes visible in direction of viewer 30 when thebackside image (white marking material 45) provides the scatteringlight.

When the image on the back surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (45) on the backsurface of the optical waveguide 10 can be viewed by the viewer 30 andviewer 31.

It is noted that the backside image should be viewable through theoptical waveguide 10. The front side image can be a scattering viewableimage or transparent non-viewable image.

The front side image may be sparse, such that there is plenty oftransparent viewing area for the back side image.

It is noted that the thickness of the optical waveguide 10 can be suchto present the images at different depths, thereby making one image toappear to be floating in front of the other image.

FIG. 17 illustrates a display device for displaying three-dimensionalimages. As illustrated in FIG. 17, a plurality of optical waveguides(10, 12, and 14). Each optical waveguide has printed thereon images onboth sides of the optical waveguide in the same manner as the dual sidedimages are constructed in the embodiment of FIG. 13.

More specifically, on a front surface of each optical waveguide (theviewing side 30), a white marking material 40 is printed onto the frontsurface of the optical waveguide, followed by the printing of a markingmaterial 50.

When the image on the front surface of the optical waveguide isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (40 and 50) isviewed by the viewer 30.

As further illustrated in FIG. 17, on a back surface of each opticalwaveguide, a marking material 55 is printed onto the back surface of theoptical waveguide, followed by the printing of a white marking material45.

When the image on the back surface of the optical waveguide isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (45 and 55) isviewed by the viewer 30.

FIG. 18 illustrates an optical waveguide capable of providing a whitebackground for an image printed thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 18, awhite marking material 400 is printed over an entire image area.Thereafter, a marking material 50 is printed on the white markingmaterial 400.

It is noted that the white marking material 400 has a varied lightscattering particle volumetric density, wherein the light scatteringparticle volumetric density increases proportionally along the surfaceof the optical waveguide as a distance away from a light sourceinterface of the optical waveguide increases.

If the light scattering particle volumetric density did not varyproportionally as the distance from the light source interface of theoptical waveguide increases most of the light would escape the opticalwaveguide near the light source interface and there would be enoughlight to properly illuminate an image in the middle of the opticalwaveguide.

The light source interface is the interface (surface) of the opticalwaveguide that receives incident light from a light source.

An image is printed on the white marking material 400 using markingmaterial 50.

FIG. 19 illustrates an optical waveguide wherein an image is initiallyprinted on a transparent medium 70, and the transparent medium 70 isattached to the optical waveguide 10. As illustrated in FIG. 19, amarking material 50 with a rough surface 55 is printed on thetransparent medium 70.

It is noted that the transparent medium 70 should be attached to theoptical waveguide 10 so that there are no air gaps between thetransparent medium 70 and the optical waveguide 10.

For example, the transparent medium 70 may be bonded to the opticalwaveguide using a curable agent that can be rolled to remove the airgaps before curing.

It is noted that the transparent medium 70 may be an optical waveguidehaving an index of refraction substantially equal to the index ofrefraction of the optical waveguide 10.

FIG. 20 illustrates an optical waveguide wherein an image is initiallyprinted on a transparent medium 70, and the transparent medium 70 isattached to the optical waveguide 10. As illustrated in FIG. 20, a whitemarking material 40 is printed on the transparent medium 70, followed bythe printing of a marking material 50.

It is noted that the transparent medium 70 should be attached to theoptical waveguide 10 so that there are no air gaps between thetransparent medium 70 and the optical waveguide 10.

For example, the transparent medium 70 may be bonded to the opticalwaveguide using a curable agent that can be rolled to remove the airgaps before curing.

It is noted that the transparent medium 70 may be an optical waveguidehaving an index of refraction substantially equal to the index ofrefraction of the optical waveguide 10.

FIG. 21 illustrates an optical waveguide display system, wherein anoptical waveguide 10, when illuminated by a light source 20, displaysimages printed on both sides of the optical waveguide 10. Since theimages are printed onto both sides of the optical waveguide 10, theimages are constructed differently depending upon the surface side ofthe optical waveguide 10 with respect to a viewing side 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, on a front surface of the optical waveguide10 (the viewing side 30), the image is constructed in the same manner asillustrated in FIG. 8, wherein a marking material 50 with a roughsurface 55 is printed onto the front surface of the optical waveguide10.

When the image on the front surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (50 with roughsurface 55) is viewed by the viewer 30.

As further illustrated in FIG. 21, on a back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10, the image is constructed in a different manner, wherein amarking material 55 is printed onto the back surface of the opticalwaveguide 10, followed by the printing of a white marking material 45.

When the image on the back surface of the optical waveguide 10 isilluminated by a light source 20, the printed image (45 and 55) isviewed by the viewer 30.

It is noted that the thickness of the optical waveguide 10 can be suchto present the images at different depths, thereby making one image toappear to be floating in front of the other image.

FIG. 22 illustrates an optical waveguide 10 capable of providing a whitebackground for an image area 35. As illustrated in FIG. 22, a whitemarking material 40 is printed over the image area 35 to create apaper-like uniform background.

It is noted that the white marking material 40 may be printed over theentire image area 35. Thereafter, a marking material 57 is printed onthe white marking material 40.

It is noted that the marking material 57 may produce a black image,thereby providing a black/white image for displaying (illuminating) onthe optical waveguide 10.

It is noted that the white marking material 40 may have a varied lightscattering particle volumetric density, wherein the light scatteringparticle volumetric density increases proportionally along the surfaceof the optical waveguide as a distance away from a light sourceinterface of the optical waveguide increases.

The light source interface is the interface (surface) of the opticalwaveguide that receives incident light from a light source.

With respect to FIG. 22, the light, which is trapped (internallyreflected) in the optical waveguide 10, enters the white markingmaterial 40 and gets scattered uniformly by the white marking material40. The scattered light is then absorbed by the marking material 57,which may produce black or color, in an image-wise fashion. In essence,the image is created by absorption of light through the marking material57.

FIG. 23 illustrates an optical waveguide 10 capable of providing ablack/white image within an image area 35. As illustrated in FIG. 23, awhite marking material 40 is printed, in an image-wise fashion, withinthe image area 35.

With respect to FIG. 23, the light, which is trapped (internallyreflected) in the optical waveguide 10, enters the white markingmaterial 40 and gets scattered, in an image-wise fashion, by the whitemarking material 40. A portion of the scattered light exits the whitemarking material 40 and is observed by a viewer. In essence, the imageis created by scattering of light through scattering particles in thewhite marking material 40.

It is noted that shading within the image may be provided by themodulation of the amplitude/intensity of the scattering according theintended image.

For example, by controlling an amount of white marking material 40printed in a specific region of the image area 35, the amount(amplitude/intensity) of scattering can be controlled. Morespecifically, the more scattering (higher amplitude/intensity), thebrighter the image in that region will appear when illuminated with edgelighting.

In contrast, the less scattering (lower amplitude/intensity), the darkerthe image in that region will appear when illuminated with edgelighting.

The use of a white marking material 40 to create an image enables theeffective creation of monochrome images. Also, the use of a whitemarking material 40 to create an image enables the effective creation ofgray level images with large areas of darker areas.

FIG. 24 illustrates multiple optical waveguides 10 used in creating athree-dimensional image. As illustrated in FIG. 24, each opticalwaveguide 10 has a portion of an image printed thereon.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 24, a portion of image 80 is printedon one surface of each optical waveguide 10. Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 24, a portion of image 82 is printed on both sides of a subset ofthe optical waveguides 10. Lastly, as illustrated in FIG. 24, a portionof image 84 is printed on both sides of each optical waveguide 10.

The images, in FIG. 24, may be created using any of the various printingprocesses (color, monochrome, surface roughness, bulk scattering,various color/white layering schemes, etc.) as described above.

Moreover, each optical waveguide 10 may be printed independently and maybe printed on one surface or printed on both surfaces.

It is noted that optical waveguides 10 may be spaced uniformly.Moreover, if the images are printed on both surfaces of the opticalwaveguide, the spacing between the optical waveguides can be adjusted tooptimize viewing and/or the thickness of the optical waveguides can beadjusted to optimize viewing.

It is further noted that the images should be sparse such that there isplenty of transparent viewing area for the images deep in the bulk to bevisible.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, each image on each optical waveguiderepresents a slice of the three-dimensional image or object. The imageor object can be the contour of the outer surface with full color.Moreover, the image or object can include inside structures to give anappearance of hollowness.

With respect to the various embodiments described above, the opticalwaveguides utilized in illuminating the printed on images can be readilyre-used by removing the marking material from the optical waveguide.

In other words, an image on an optical waveguide intended for edgeillumination can be first printed using various marking materials suchas liquid inks, UV curable inks, toner, and/or solid inks.

Thereafter, the printed on image can be removed from the opticalwaveguide without degrading the optical quality of the surfaces. Afterthe surface(s) of the optical waveguide is(are) refreshed, the opticalwaveguide can be reused for printing a new image.

For example, if UV curable ink is utilized as the marking material, asolvent or cleaning solution, such as acetone, which is not going toharm the optical waveguide material can be used with very littlemechanical scrubbing to remove the printed on UV curable ink. Ifnecessary, the optical waveguide can be repaired for minor scratchesbefore being re-used.

In another example, if a hard glass is utilized as the opticalwaveguide, both chemical solvents, such as acetone, and mechanicalagitation can be used to remove the marking material on the surface.

The above cleaning processes can also be used to remove only a portionof the marking material. Moreover, if the optical waveguide includesboth engraved images and printed on images, the above cleaning processescan be used to remove the marking material without disturbing theengraved image.

Lastly, the above cleaning processes can be used to remove the markingmaterial from a dual sided (surface) printed optical waveguide to removethe marking material from both surfaces or remove the marking materialfrom one surface.

The re-usability of the optical waveguide surfaces enables (1) testprinting processes for reliability and correctness; (2) preview an imagewith the optical waveguide and lighting before committing toutilization; (3) trial use wherein a user can print and make a temporaryoptical waveguide display, use it for a short period before making apermanent one; (4) renting, wherein a durable optical waveguide can beused to print custom images and allow a customer to rent; (5) reuse,wherein the content can be changed when desired; and (6) combiningengraving with printing, wherein only the content that is not intendedto be permanent is removed.

It is noted that in the various embodiment described above, the opticalwaveguide is provided with edge lighting to effectuate the illuminationof the images printed thereon.

Edge lighting is the illumination of the optical waveguide at theoptical waveguide side edge or optical waveguide light source interface.The optical waveguide side edge or optical waveguide light sourceinterface is substantially normal to the surface upon which the imagesare printed.

The optical waveguide side edge or optical waveguide light sourceinterface is preferably a smooth surface and the angle of incidence ofthe light upon the optical waveguide side edge or optical waveguidelight source interface is greater than the critical angle of theair-optical waveguide boundary so that the light can be totallyinternally reflected within the optical waveguide.

The edge lighting may be provided by a single light source or multiplelight sources.

Moreover, the edge lighting may be provided at multiple opticalwaveguide side edges or optical waveguide light source interfaces.

It is further noted that the optical waveguides may be flat planes,curved surfaces, or enclosed objects, which are suitable for displayingimages.

It is also noted that the marking materials, described above, may beliquid inks, UV curable inks, toner, and/or solid inks.

It is additionally noted that the white marking material may be a whitecolored liquid ink, a white colored UV curable ink, a white coloredtoner, and/or a white colored solid ink that has light scatteringproperties.

Moreover, the white marking material may not have a white color, but themarking material being referred to a white marking material may have nodiscernible color and be a clear liquid ink, a clear UV curable ink, aclear toner, and/or a clear solid ink that has light scatteringproperties. In addition, the white marking material may be a clearliquid ink, a clear UV curable ink, a clear toner, and/or a clear solidink that has light scattering particles embedded therein.

The non-white marking material may be a colored liquid ink, a colored UVcurable ink, a colored toner, and/or a colored solid ink, or thenon-white marking material may be a black liquid ink, a black UV curableink, a black toner, and/or a black solid ink.

It is noted that the non-white marking material may have lightabsorption properties.

It is further noted that the non-white marking material may have includeinfrared material to provide infrared illumination, ultraviolet lightmaterial to provide ultraviolet illumination, or fluorescent material toprovide non-white illumination.

It is also noted that, in the various embodiments described above, thatthe white marking material and the non-white marking material is printedor formed on the optical waveguide in an image-wise manner. In otherwords, the marking material is only printed formed in regions of thesurface of the optical waveguide wherein an image is to be illuminated.

On the other hand, if a white background is to be created, the whitemarking material is printed or formed on the entire surface of theoptical waveguide and only the non-white marking material is printed orformed in an image-wise manner.

Printing or forming in an image-wise manner means that the markingmaterial is placed in accordance with the image data of the image to beilluminated.

It is also noted that, in the various embodiments described above and inthe claims set forth below, an optical waveguide refers to a physicalstructure (planar, strip, or fiber), a transparent medium (planar,strip, or fiber), or a translucent medium (planar, strip, or fiber) thatguides electromagnetic waves (light) in the optical spectrum.

Moreover, in the various embodiments described above and in the claimsset forth below, an optical waveguide refers to a physical structure(planar, strip, or fiber), a transparent medium (planar, strip, orfiber), or a translucent medium (planar, strip, or fiber) that supportstotal internal reflection of light as the light propagates through themedium. Examples of optical waveguides may be glass, acrylic, fiberoptics, etc.

Furthermore, in the various embodiments described above and in theclaims set forth below, an optical waveguide refers to a physicalstructure (planar, strip, or fiber), a transparent medium (planar,strip, or fiber), or a translucent medium (planar, strip, or fiber) thatsupports total internal reflection of light as the light propagatesthrough the medium. Examples of optical waveguides may be glass,acrylic, fiber optics, etc.

It is also noted that, in the various embodiments described above and inthe claims set forth below, the forming of materials on the opticalwaveguide may be realized by depositing one or more marking materialsusing an inkjet printer, an inkjet printing process, a xerographicprinter, a xerographic printing process, a screen printer, a screenprinting process, a solid ink printer, a solid ink printing process, athree-dimensional printer, a three-dimensional printing process, aplotter, a brush or marking material applicator.

It is further noted that, in the various embodiments described above,the forming of materials may be realized by forming or depositing one ormore marking materials on a thin, light transmissive substrate using aninkjet printer, an inkjet printing process, a xerographic printer, axerographic printing process, a screen printer, a screen printingprocess, a solid ink printer, a solid ink printing process, athree-dimensional printer, a three-dimensional printing process, aplotter, a brush or marking material applicator, wherein the thin, lighttransmissive substrate is attached, by adhesive, electrostatic, or othermeans, to the optical waveguide to enable easy mechanical removal of themarking material by detaching the thin, light transmissive substratefrom the optical waveguide.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary printing system 100 configured to printon a three-dimensional object or to print on an optical waveguideutilizing the processes described above. The printing system 100includes an array of print heads 104, a support member 108, a member 112movably mounted to the support member 108, an actuator 116 operativelyconnected to the movably mounted member 112, an object holder 120configured to mount to the movably mounted member 112, and a controller124 operatively connected to the plurality of print heads and theactuator.

As shown in FIG. 25, the array of print heads 104 is arranged in atwo-dimensional array. Each print head is fluidly connected to a supplyof marking material (not shown) and is configured to eject markingmaterial received from the supply. Some of the print heads can beconnected to the same supply or each print head can be connected to itsown supply so each print head can eject a different marking material.The controller 124 is also operatively connected to an optical sensor350.

The support member 108 is positioned to be parallel to a plane formed bythe array of print heads and, as shown in the figure, is oriented so oneend of the support member 108 is at a higher gravitational potentialthan the other end of the support member. This orientation enables theprinting system 100 to have a smaller footprint than an alternativeembodiment that horizontally orients the array of print heads andconfigures the support member, movably mounted member, and object holderto enable the object holder to pass objects past the horizontallyarranged print heads so the print heads can eject marking materialdownwardly on the objects.

The member 112 is movably mounted to the support member 108 to enablethe member to slide along the support member. In some embodiments, themember 112 can move bi-directionally along the support member. In otherembodiments, the support member 108 is configured to provide a returnpath to the lower end of the support member to form a track for themovably mounted member.

The actuator 116 is operatively connected to the movably mounted member112 so the actuator 116 can move the moveably mounted member 112 alongthe support member 108 and enable the object holder 120 connected to themoveably mounted member 112 to pass the array of print heads 104 in onedimension of the two-dimensional array of print heads. In the embodimentdepicted in the figure, the object holder 120 moves an object 122 alongthe length dimension of the array of print heads 104.

The controller 124 is configured with programmed instructions stored ina memory 128 operatively connected to the controller so the controllercan execute the programmed instructions to operate components in theprinting system 100.

Thus, the controller 124 is configured to operate the actuator 116 tomove the object holder 120 past the array of print heads 104 and tooperate the array of print heads 104 to eject marking material ontoobjects held by the object holder 120 as the object holder passes thearray of print heads 104. Additionally, the controller 124 is configuredto operate the inkjets within the print heads of the array of printheads 104 so they eject drops with larger masses than the masses ofdrops ejected from such print heads.

In one embodiment, the controller 124 operates the inkjets in the printheads of the array of print heads 104 with firing signal waveforms thatenable the inkjets to eject drops that produce drops on the objectsurfaces having a diameter of about seven to about ten mm. This dropsize is appreciably larger than the drops that produced drops on thematerial receiving surface having a mass of about 21 ng.

The system configuration shown in FIG. 25 is especially advantageous ina number of aspects. For one, as noted above, the vertical configurationof the array of print heads 104 and the support member 108 enables thesystem 100 to have a smaller footprint than a system configured with ahorizontal orientation of the array and support member. This smallerfootprint of the system enables the system 100 to be housed in a singlecabinet 180, as depicted in FIG. 28, and installed in non-productionoutlets. Once installed, various object holders, as described furtherbelow, can be used with the system to print a variety of goods that aregeneric in appearance until printed.

Another advantageous aspect of the system 100 shown in FIG. 25 is thegap presented between the objects carried by the object holder 120 andthe print heads of the array of print heads 104.

Additionally, the controller 124 can be configured with programmedinstructions to operate the actuator 116 to move the object holder atspeeds that attenuate the air turbulence in the gap between the printhead and the object surface used in the system 100.

An alternative embodiment of the system 100 is shown in FIG. 26. In thisalternative embodiment 200, the support member is a pair of supportmembers 208 about which the moveably mounted member 212 is mounted.

This embodiment includes a pair of fixedly positioned pulleys 232 and abelt 236 entrained about the pair of pulleys to form an endless belt.The moveably mounted member 212 includes a third pulley 240 that engagesthe endless belt to enable the third pulley 240 to rotate in response tothe movement of the endless belt moving about the pair of pulleys 232 tomove the moveably mounted member and the object holder 220.

In this embodiment, the actuator 216 is operatively connected to one ofthe pulleys 232 so the controller 224 can operate the actuator to rotatethe driven pulley and move the endless belt about the pulleys 232. Thecontroller 224 can be configured with programmed instructions stored inthe memory 228 to operate the actuator 216 bi-directionally to rotateone of the pulleys 232 bi-directionally for bi-directional movement ofthe moveably mounted member 212 and the object holder 220 past the arrayof print heads 204.

In another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 27, one end of the belt236 is operatively connected to a take-up reel 244 that is operativelyconnected to the actuator 216. The other end of the belt 236 is fixedlypositioned. The controller 224 is configured with programmedinstructions stored in the memory 228 to enable the controller 224 tooperate the actuator 216 to rotate the take-up reel 244 and wind aportion of the length of the belt about the take-up reel 244.

The belt 244 also engages a rotatable pulley 248 mounted to the moveablymounted member 212. Since the other end of the belt 236 is fixedlypositioned, the rotation of the reel 244 causes the moveably mountedmember 212 to move the object holder past the array of print heads.

When the controller 224 operates the actuator 216 to unwind the beltfrom the reel 224, the moveably mounted member 212 descends and enablesthe object holder to descend past the array of print heads 204. Thisdirection of movement is opposite to the direction in which the objectholder moved when the actuator was operated to take up a length of thebelt 236.

These configurations using a belt to move the moveably mounted memberdiffer from the one shown in FIG. 25 in which the controller 124operates a linear actuator to move the moveably mounted member 112 andthe object holder 120 bi-directionally past the array of print heads.

With to the printing device described above, the printing systems mayinclude a UV curing station below the array of print heads when UVcurable inks are being utilized as a marking material. By including a UVcuring station in the print system, a layer of UV curable ink can bedeposited, cured, and thereafter, a subsequent layer of UV curable inkcan be deposited, thereby building a three-dimensional layered body ofcured ink. In other words, after each layer of UV curable ink isdeposited, the deposited layer is cured, thereby enabling the depositingof another layer so as to build depth into the deposited UV curable inkso that a rough surface can be produced.

An example of an object holder 220 is shown in FIG. 29. The objectholder 220 includes a plate 304 having apertures 308 in which objects312, which are golf club heads in the figure, are placed for printing. Alatch 316 is configured for selectively mounting the object holder 220to the movably mounted member 212. The latch 316 includes locatingfeatures 320 to aid in properly positioning the object holder 220 forsecuring the holder to the member 212, which is supported by members 208as shown in FIG. 26.

Once properly positioned, levers 322 operate the latch 316 to secure theholder 220 to the member 212. As shown in the figure, member 212includes an input device 326 for obtaining an identifier from the objectholder 220 as further described below.

A perspective view of the object holder 220 is shown in FIG. 30. In FIG.30, an identification tag 330 on a surface of the object holder 220faces the input device 326 on the movably mounted member 212 when theholder is secured to the member 212. The input device 326 is operativelyconnected to the controller 224, shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, tocommunicate an identifier from the identification tag 330 to thecontroller. The controller is further configured to operate the array ofprint heads 204 and the actuator 216 (FIGS. 26 and 27) with reference tothe identifier received from the input device 326 of the movably mountedmember 212.

As used in this document, “identification tag” means machine-readableindicia that embody information to be processed by the printing system.The indicia can be mechanical, optical, or electromagnetic.

In one embodiment, the identification tag 330 is a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag and the input device 326 of the movablymounted member is a RFID reader.

In another embodiment, the identification tag 330 is a bar code and theinput device 326 of the movably mounted member 212 is a bar code reader.

In another embodiment in which mechanical indicia are used for theidentification tag, the indicia are protrusions, indentations, orcombinations of protrusions and indentations in a material that can beread by a biased arm following the surface of the identification tag.

The input device 326 in such an embodiment can be a cam follower thatconverts the position of an arm that follows the mechanical featuresinto electrical signals.

The controller 224 is further configured with programmed instructionsstored in the memory 228 to compare the identifier received from theinput device 326 of the movably mounted member 212 to identifiers storedin the memory 328 operatively connected to the controller. Thecontroller disables operation of the actuator 216 in response to theidentifier received from the input device 326 failing to correspond toone of the identifiers stored in the memory.

In another embodiment, the controller 224 is further configured withprogrammed instructions stored in the memory 328 to compare theidentifier received from the input device 326 of the movably mountedmember 212 to identifiers stored in the memory 328.

In this embodiment, the controller 224 disables operation of the printheads in the array of print heads in response to the identifier receivedfrom the input device 326 failing to correspond to one of theidentifiers stored in the memory 328.

In some embodiments, the controller 224 is configured to disable boththe actuator 216 and the array of print heads 204 in response to theidentifier received from the input device 326 failing to match one ofthe identifiers stored in the memory 328.

In all of these embodiments, the controller 224 is operatively connectedto a user interface 350 as shown in FIGS. 25 through 27. The interface350 includes a display 360, an annunciator 364, and an input device 368,such as a keypad.

The controller 224 is configured with programmed instructions to operatethe user interface to notify an operator of the failure of theidentifier received from the input device 326 to correspond to one ofthe identifiers in memory. Thus, the operator is able to understand thereason for the disabling of the system.

Additionally, the controller 224 is configured with programmedinstructions to operate the user interface 350 to inform the operator ofa system status that is incompatible with the identifier received fromthe input device 326.

For example, the controller 224 monitors the system to detect theconfiguration of the print heads in the system and the inks beingsupplied to the print heads. If the inks or the print head configurationis unable to print the objects corresponding to the object holderaccurately and appropriately, then the user interface 350 is operated bythe controller 224 to generate a message on the display 360 for theoperator that inks need to be changed or that the print head array needsto be reconfigured.

The controller 224 is also configured with programmed instructions tooperate the user interface 350 to inform the operator of processing thatneeds to be performed. For example, some identifiers received from theinput device 326 indicate that an object requires pre-coating prior toprinting or post-coating after the object is printed. The controller 224in this example operates the user interface 350 to provide a message onthe display 360 to the operator regarding either or both of theconditions.

The user interface 350 includes a display 360 for alphanumeric messages,a keypad 368 for entry of data by an operator, and an annunciator 364,such as a warning light or audible alarm, to attract attention todisplayed messages.

FIG. 31 shows a front view of the object holder 220 secured to themovably mounted member 212, and FIG. 32 shows a rear view of the objectholder 220 to the moveably mounted member 212.

Additionally, the controller 224 can be configured to accumulate a countof the number of times an object holder is mounted and dismounted to themovably mounted member 212. This count can be used to obtain and store anumber of objects printed by the system 100. This count of printedobjects can then be used to order supplies for the continued operationof the system before the supplies are exhausted or to render anaccounting of the throughput of the system for various purposes.

FIGS. 33 through 41 depict object holders 220 in various configurationsfor holding different types of articles and the holders 220 are securedto the movably mounted member 212. The object holders in FIGS. 33, 34,35, 37, 38, 40 and 41 include at least one aperture that is configuredto hold an object for printing by the array of print heads.

In FIG. 33, the aperture 308 is configured to hold a disk-shaped object312. In FIG. 34, each aperture 308 in a plurality of apertures isconfigured to hold a plurality of cap-shaped objects 312. In FIG. 35,each aperture 308 in a plurality of apertures is configured to hold aplurality of cases 312, such as the depicted mobile telephone cases. InFIG. 37, the aperture 308 is configured to hold a spherically shapedobject 312. In FIG. 38, each aperture 308 in a plurality of apertures isconfigured to hold a golf club head 312.

In FIG. 41, each aperture 308 in a plurality of apertures is configuredto hold an ear piece 312 of an eyeglasses frame. In FIG. 36, the objectholder (not visible) is configured to hold head gear. In FIG. 39, theobject holder 220 includes a pair of arms 404 configured to secure arectangular or cylindrical object 312 between them.

As used in this document, the term “arm” refers to a member having twoends with one end being mounted to the object holder and the remainderof the member is configured to hold the object with reference to theobject holder.

In FIG. 40, the rear side of the moveably mounted member 212 is shown todepict the orientation at which an object holder (not visible) wouldhold an article of clothing to enable printing of a surface of thearticle.

While the printing system 100 described above is especially advantageousin non-production environments, the system 500 depicted in FIG. 42 ismore robust and useful in manufacturing environments.

In system 500, a conveyor 504 is configured to deliver objects from asupply of objects (not shown) to an object holder 508. The object holder508 is configured to receive objects from the conveyor 504. Thecontroller 224 is operatively connected to the conveyor 504, theactuator 216, and the array of print heads 204. The controller 224 isfurther configured with programmed instructions stored in the memory 228to operate the conveyor 504 to deliver objects to the object holders 508and to operate the actuator 216 to move the objects held by the objectholders past the array of print heads.

This operation enables the print heads to print the objects as theobjects pass the array of print heads 204. A bin can be provided toreceive the objects from the object holders 508 after the objects havebeen printed.

In another embodiment, another conveyor 512 is configured to receiveobjects from the object holders 508 after the objects held by the objectholders are printed by the print heads in the array of print heads 204.The controller 224 is operatively connected to the conveyor 512 andoperates the conveyor 512 to transport the printed objects to a locationaway from the printing system, such as a receptacle 516.

FIG. 43 illustrates shows the object holder 308 of FIG. 35 configuredwith biased members 604. The biased members can be resilient membersformed with a crook at an unattached end of the member that pressesdownwardly on the surface of the holder 308.

Portions of a sheet of media 608 can be inserted between the biasedmembers and the surface of the holder 308 to enable the sheet to be heldagainst the surface of the holder. An operator can initiate a test orsetup mode through the input device of the user interface 350 once themedia sheet is installed. In response, the controller 224 operates theactuator 216 to move the media sheet attached to the object holder pastthe print heads as the controller operates the print heads to eject oneor more test patterns onto the media sheet.

The system can include an optical sensor 354, such as a digital camera,that is positioned to generate image data of the test pattern and mediasheet after the test pattern has been printed onto the sheet.

The controller 224 executing programmed instructions analyzes the imagedata of the test pattern on the media sheet to identify maintenanceissues, such as print head alignments and inoperative ejectors withinprint heads. Additionally, the controller 224 verifies the system isappropriately configured to print the objects corresponding to theidentifier received from the input device 326 that was read from theidentification tag on the object holder.

Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 44, an object holder, such as holder308, can include a member 658 that is detachably mounted to the objectholder and that has a test area 662. The test area 662 of the member 658is a planar area of a material, such as Mylar, that can be printed bythe system, imaged by the optical sensor 354, and analyzed by thecontroller 224 to identify issues with the configuration of the system.

The systems used in commercial environments print objects innon-production environments. Some of these objects can be quiteexpensive and the distributor does not want to waste objects by printingtest patterns on them. Since some of these objects have curved orintricate geometries, forms replicated the shape and geometry of anobject are provided for test runs through the system. These forms areshaped to conform to the general outline of the object, but are madefrom a material, such as Mylar or the like, that enable images to beprinted on the form, imaged, and analyzed to identify maintenance issuesor to verify the configuration of the system to print the objects. Oncethe system has been confirmed as being ready to print objects, the formcan be removed and wiped clean so it can used at a later time. As analternative to the form, a media sheet can be wrapped about an object soit can be printed and the image data analyzed without permanentlyforming an image on the object since the sheet can be removed beforeprinting the object.

FIG. 45 illustrates an optical waveguide 10 having cut edges 19, whereinthe cut edges 19 are rough. More specifically, a raw panel of opticalwaveguide material is usually cut from a bigger panel of opticalwaveguide material. During this cutting process, the edges are veryrough after cutting.

One requirement for a good edge illuminated display panel is a clear(optically transparent) edge or smooth edge to enable the illuminatinglight to enter the panel efficiently. To achieve a clear (opticallytransparent) edge or smooth edge, conventionally, the edges are polished(especially for glass) or hot melted (using a torch for plasticmaterials such as acrylic) to create a smooth interface. These methodsof edge treatments are slow and typically not conveniently availablearound a print shop.

Alternatively to the conventional process, the rough edges can be madesmooth by flood coating the edge with a clear curable ink 80, asillustrated in FIG. 46, and then the ink is cured. This application andcuring of a clear curable ink, smooths the edge so that the edge is aclear (optically transparent) edge.

In a preferred embodiment, the curable ink is a UV curable ink.

It is noted that a curable colored ink may be utilized if color light isdesired in illuminating the optical waveguide.

Moreover, it is noted that the multiple curable colored inks may beapplied in bands so that based upon the position of the incidence lightimpinging upon the edge, a variety of colors can be utilized toilluminate the optical waveguide.

By using a clear UV curable fluid (ink) to flood coat the cut edges (19)and curing the clear UV curable fluid (ink) with a UV source, theresulting edge will be smooth and enable good edge illumination.

As noted above, the fluid (ink) fills the roughness of the base materialedge due to wetting. The UV/air interface is smooth due to surfacetension. Since the UV materials have index of refraction similar to thatof the optical waveguide materials, the UV/optical waveguide materialinterface will not generate substantial back reflection despite theroughness of the interface between the fluid (ink) coating and theoptical waveguide material.

FIG. 47 illustrates an optical waveguide 10 having an engraved area 11,wherein the engraved area 11 is a rough surface. Due to the engravedarea 11, the optical waveguide cannot be re-used in its currentcondition for illuminating a different image because the engraved area11 will also illuminate.

To enable the re-usability of the optical waveguide, as illustrated inFIG. 47, the engraved area 11 is flood coated with a clear curable ink80 and then the ink is cured. This application and curing of a clearcurable ink, smooths the surface of the optical waveguide so that theoptical waveguide can be re-used to illuminate a different image.

In a preferred embodiment, the curable ink is a UV curable ink.

By using a clear UV curable fluid (ink) to flood coat the engrave area11 and curing the clear UV curable fluid (ink) with a UV source, theresulting surface will be smooth, thereby enabling total internalreflection at the previously engraved area (11).

In summary, a display device component comprises an optical waveguidehaving a surface; a first material formed on a portion of the surface ofthe optical waveguide; and a second material formed on a portion of thefirst material; the first material having light scattering properties.

The second material may be formed on all of the first material.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed on a portion of the first material, the portion of the firstmaterial having the second material formed thereon being distinct fromthe portion of the first material having the third material formedthereon.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed on a portion of the second material.

The first material may be a marking material and the second material maybe a marking material.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The third material may be a non-white colored marking material having acolor distinct from a color of the second material.

The first material may be a white marking material; the second materialmay be a first non-white colored marking material; and the thirdmaterial may be a second non-white colored marking material, the firstnon-white colored marking material having a color distinct from a colorof the second non-white colored marking material.

The first material and the second materials are inks.

The first material and the second materials are toners.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a first material formed on a portion of the surface of theoptical waveguide; and a second material formed on a portion of thefirst material; the first material having light scattering particlesembedded therein.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed on a portion of the first material, the portion of the firstmaterial having the second material formed thereon being distinct fromthe portion of the first material having the third material formedthereon.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed on a portion of the second material.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The third material may be a non-white colored marking material having acolor distinct from a color of the second material.

The first material may be a white marking material; the second materialmay be a first non-white colored marking material; and the thirdmaterial may be a second non-white colored marking material, the firstnon-white colored marking material having a color distinct from a colorof the second non-white colored marking material.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface and a light source interface surface; a first material formed onthe surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formed on aportion of the first material; the first material having lightscattering particles embedded therein; the first material having avaried light scattering particle volumetric density; the lightscattering particle volumetric density increasing proportionally alongthe surface of the optical waveguide as a distance away from the lightsource interface surface increases.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed on a portion of the first material, the portion of the firstmaterial having the second material formed thereon being distinct fromthe portion of the first material having the third material formedthereon.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a first material formed on a portion of the surface of theoptical waveguide; and a second material formed on the first material;the second material having light scattering properties.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed on a portion of the surface of the optical waveguide, the portionof the surface of the optical waveguide having the first material formedthereon being distinct from the portion of the surface of the opticalwaveguide having the third material formed thereon; the second materialbeing formed on the third material.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed between the first material and the second material.

The first material may be a marking material and the second material maybe a marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The third material may be a non-white colored marking material having acolor distinct from a color of the first material.

The second material may be a white marking material; the first materialmay be a first non-white colored marking material; and the thirdmaterial may be a second non-white colored marking material, the firstnon-white colored marking material having a color distinct from a colorof the second non-white colored marking material.

The first material and the second materials may be inks.

The first material and the second materials may be toners.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a first material formed on a portion of the surface of theoptical waveguide; and a second material formed on a portion of thefirst material; the second material having light scattering particlesembedded therein.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed on a portion of the surface of the optical waveguide, the portionof the surface of the optical waveguide having the first material formedthereon being distinct from the portion of the surface of the opticalwaveguide having the third material formed thereon.

The display device component may further comprise being a third materialformed between the first material and the second material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The third material may be a non-white colored marking material having acolor distinct from a color of the first material.

The second material may be a white marking material; the first materialmay be a first non-white colored marking material; and the thirdmaterial may be a second non-white colored marking material, the firstnon-white colored marking material having a color distinct from a colorof the second non-white colored marking material.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a firstsurface and a second surface; a first material formed on a portion ofthe first surface of the optical waveguide; a second material formed ona portion of the first material; a third material formed on a portion ofthe second surface of the optical waveguide; and a fourth materialformed on the third material; the first material having light scatteringproperties; the fourth material having light scattering properties.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the thirdmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The first material may be a marking material and the fourth material maybe a marking material.

The first material may be a white marking material and the fourthmaterial may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

The second material may be a marking material and the third material maybe a marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material and thethird material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The non-white colored marking material may be ink.

The non-white colored marking material may be toner.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a firstsurface and a second surface; a first material formed on a portion ofthe first surface of the optical waveguide; a second material formed onthe first material; a third material formed on a portion of the secondsurface of the optical waveguide; and a fourth material formed on thethird material; the first material having light scattering particlesembedded therein; the fourth material having light scattering particlesembedded therein.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the thirdmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The first material may be a marking material and the fourth material maybe a marking material.

The first material may be a white marking material and the fourthmaterial may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a marking material and the third material maybe a marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material and thethird material may be a non-white colored marking material.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a surface and alight source interface surface; a light source, the light sourcedirecting light upon the light source interface surface at an angle ofincidence to provide total internal reflection of the incident lightwithin the optical waveguide; a first material formed on a portion ofthe surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formed onthe first material; the first material having light scatteringproperties to frustrate a portion of the total internal reflection ofthe incident light within the optical waveguide.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The second material has a third index of refraction, the second index ofrefraction being substantially equal to the third index of refraction.

The first material may be a marking material.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

The second material may be a marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The non-white colored marking material may be ink.

The non-white colored marking material may be toner.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a surface and alight source interface surface; a light source, the light sourcedirecting light upon the light source interface surface at an angle ofincidence to provide total internal reflection of the incident lightwithin the optical waveguide; a first material formed on a portion ofthe first surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formedon the first material; the first material having light scatteringparticles embedded therein to frustrate a portion of the total internalreflection of the incident light within the optical waveguide.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction, the secondmaterial having a third index of refraction, the second index ofrefraction being substantially equal to the third index of refraction.

The first material may be a marking material.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a surface and alight source interface surface; a light source, the light sourcedirecting light upon the light source interface surface at an angle ofincidence to provide total internal reflection of the incident lightwithin the optical waveguide; a first material formed on of a portionthe surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formed onthe first material; the first material having light scattering particlesembedded therein to frustrate a portion of the total internal reflectionof the incident light within the optical waveguide; the first materialhaving a varied light scattering particle volumetric density; the lightscattering particle volumetric density increasing proportionally alongthe surface of the optical waveguide as a distance away from the lightsource interface increases.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a surface and alight source interface surface; a light source, the light sourcedirecting light upon the light source interface surface at an angle ofincidence to provide total internal reflection of the incident lightwithin the optical waveguide; a first material formed on a portion ofthe first surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formedon the first material; the second material having light scatteringproperties to frustrate a portion of the total internal reflection ofthe incident light within the optical waveguide.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The second material has a third index of refraction, the second index ofrefraction being substantially equal to the third index of refraction.

The second material may be a marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

The first material may be a marking material.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The non-white colored marking material may be ink.

The non-white colored marking material may be toner.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a surface and alight source interface surface; a light source, the light sourcedirecting light upon the light source interface surface at an angle ofincidence to provide total internal reflection of the incident lightwithin the optical waveguide; a first material formed on a portion ofthe surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formed onthe first material; the second material having light scatteringparticles embedded therein to frustrate a portion of the total internalreflection of the incident light within the optical waveguide.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction, the secondmaterial having a third index of refraction, the second index ofrefraction being substantially equal to the third index of refraction.

The second material may be a marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The first material may be a marking material.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a first surface,a second surface, and a light source interface surface; a light source,the light source directing light upon the light source interface surfaceat an angle of incidence to provide total internal reflection of theincident light within the optical waveguide; a first material formed ona portion of the first surface of the optical waveguide; a secondmaterial formed on the first material; a third material formed on aportion of the second surface of the optical waveguide; and a fourthmaterial formed on the third material; the first material having lightscattering properties to frustrate a portion of the total internalreflection of the incident light within the optical waveguide; thefourth material having light scattering properties to frustrate aportion of the total internal reflection of the incident light withinthe optical waveguide.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the thirdmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The first material may be a marking material and the fourth material maybe a marking material.

The first material may be a white marking material and the fourthmaterial may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

The second material may be a marking material and the third material maybe a marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material and thethird material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The non-white colored marking material may be ink.

The non-white colored marking material may be toner.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a first surface,a second surface, and a light source interface surface; a light source,the light source directing light upon the light source interface surfaceat an angle of incidence to provide total internal reflection of theincident light within the optical waveguide; a first material formed ona portion of the first surface of the optical waveguide; a secondmaterial formed on the first material; a third material formed on aportion of the second surface of the optical waveguide; and a fourthmaterial formed on the third material; the first material having lightscattering particles embedded therein to frustrate a portion of thetotal internal reflection of the incident light within the opticalwaveguide; the fourth material having light scattering particlesembedded therein to frustrate a portion of the total internal reflectionof the incident light within the optical waveguide.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the thirdmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The first material may be a marking material and the fourth material maybe a marking material.

The first material may be a white marking material and the fourthmaterial may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a marking material and the third material maybe a marking material.

The display device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second materialmay be a non-white colored marking material and the third material maybe a non-white colored marking material.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave, comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of an optical waveguide having asurface, the first material having light scattering properties; and (b)forming a second material on the first material.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The second material has a third index of refraction, the second index ofrefraction being substantially equal to the third index of refraction.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The first material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The first material may be formed by a xerographic toner printing device.

The first material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The second material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The second material may be formed by a xerographic toner printingdevice.

The second material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave, comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of an optical waveguide having asurface, the first material having light scattering particles embeddedtherein; and (b) forming a second material on the first material.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The first material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The second material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave comprises (a)forming a first material on an optical waveguide having a surface and alight source interface surface, the first material having lightscattering particles embedded therein, the first material having avaried light scattering particle volumetric density, the lightscattering particle volumetric density increasing proportionally on thesurface as a distance away from the light source interface increases;and (b) forming a second material on the first material.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of an optical waveguide having asurface; and (b) forming a second material on the first material, thesecond material having light scattering properties.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The second material has a third index of refraction, the second index ofrefraction being substantially equal to the third index of refraction.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The second material may be formed by a xerographic toner printingdevice.

The second material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The first material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The first material may be formed by a xerographic toner printing device.

The first material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of an optical waveguide having asurface; and (b) forming a second material on the first material, thesecond material having light scattering particles embedded therein.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The first material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave having a firstsurface and a second surface, comprises (a) forming a first material ona portion of a first surface of an optical waveguide, the first materialhaving light scattering properties; (b) forming a second material on thefirst material; (c) forming a third material on a portion of a secondsurface of the optical waveguide; and (d) forming a fourth material onthe third material, the fourth material having light scatteringproperties.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The second material has a third index of refraction, the second index ofrefraction being substantially equal to the third index of refraction.

The first material may be a white marking material and the fourthmaterial may be a white marking material.

The first material may be formed by an inkjet printing device and thefourth material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The first material may be formed by a xerographic toner printing deviceand the fourth material may be formed by a xerographic toner printingdevice.

The first material may be formed by a solid ink printing device and thefourth material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material and thethird material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The second material may be formed by an inkjet printing device and thethird material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The second material may be formed by a xerographic toner printing deviceand the third material may be formed by a xerographic toner printingdevice.

The second material may be formed by a solid ink printing device and thethird material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave, comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of a first surface of an opticalwaveguide, the first material having light scattering particles embeddedtherein; (b) forming a second material on the first material; (c)forming a third material on a portion of a second surface of the opticalwaveguide; and (d) forming a fourth material on the third material, thefourth material having light scattering particles embedded therein.

The optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the firstmaterial has a second index of refraction, the first index of refractionbeing substantially equal to the second index of refraction.

The first material may be formed by an inkjet printing device and thefourth material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The first material may be formed by a xerographic toner printing deviceand the fourth material may be formed by a xerographic toner printingdevice.

The first material may be formed by a solid ink printing device and thefourth material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

The second material may be formed by an inkjet printing device and thethird material may be formed by an inkjet printing device.

The second material may be formed by a xerographic toner printing deviceand the third material may be formed by a xerographic toner printingdevice.

The second material may be formed by a solid ink printing device and thethird material may be formed by a solid ink printing device.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; and a first material formed on a portion of the surface of theoptical waveguide; the first material having a first surface adjacent tothe surface of the optical waveguide and a second surface away from thesurface of the optical waveguide; the second surface being non-smooth tofrustrate a portion of light being internally reflected within theoptical waveguide.

The display device component may further comprise being a secondmaterial formed on a portion of the surface of the optical waveguide;the second material having a third surface adjacent to the surface ofthe optical waveguide and a fourth surface away from the surface of theoptical waveguide and a second surface away; the fourth surface beingnon-smooth to frustrate a portion of light being internally reflectedwithin the optical waveguide.

The first material may be a marking material.

The second material may be a marking material.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material having acolor distinct from a color of the first material.

The first material may be a first non-white colored marking material andthe second material may be a second non-white colored marking material,the first non-white colored marking material having a color distinctfrom a color of the second non-white colored marking material.

The first material may be an ink.

The first material may be a toner.

A display device comprises an optical waveguide having a surface and alight source interface surface; a light source, the light sourcedirecting light upon the light source interface surface at an angle ofincidence to provide total internal reflection of the incident lightwithin the optical waveguide; and a first material formed on a portionof the surface of the optical waveguide; the first material having afirst surface adjacent to the surface of the optical waveguide and asecond surface away from the surface of the optical waveguide; thesecond surface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion of the incidentlight being totally internally reflected within the optical waveguide.

The display device may further comprise being a second material formedon a portion of the surface of the optical waveguide; the secondmaterial having a third surface adjacent to the surface of the opticalwaveguide and a fourth surface away from the surface of the opticalwaveguide and a second surface away; the fourth surface being non-smoothto frustrate a portion of the incident light being totally internallyreflected within the optical waveguide.

The first material may be a marking material.

The second material may be a marking material.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The second material may be a non-white colored marking material having acolor distinct from a color of the first material.

The first material may be a first non-white colored marking material andthe second material may be a second non-white colored marking material,the first non-white colored marking material having a color distinctfrom a color of the second non-white colored marking material.

The first material may be an ink.

The first material may be a toner.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image printed on an optical wave, comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of a surface of an opticalwaveguide, the first material having a first surface adjacent to thesurface of the optical waveguide and a second surface away from thesurface of the optical waveguide, the second surface being non-smooth tofrustrate a portion of light being internally reflected within theoptical waveguide.

The first material may be formed on the portion of the surface of theoptical waveguide using a printing process and the non-smooth secondsurface being formed by printing a halftone image on the optical waveguide using the first material.

A display device comprises a first optical waveguide having a firstsurface, a second surface, and a first light source interface surface; asecond optical waveguide having a third surface, a fourth surface, and asecond light source interface surface; a light source, the light sourcedirecting light upon the first light source interface surface at anangle of incidence to provide total internal reflection of the incidentlight within the first optical waveguide; the light source directinglight upon the second light source interface surface at an angle ofincidence to provide total internal reflection of the incident lightwithin the second optical waveguide; a first material formed on aportion of the first surface of the first optical waveguide; a secondmaterial formed on the first material; a third material formed on aportion of the second surface of the first optical waveguide; a fourthmaterial formed on the third material; the first material having lightscattering properties to frustrate a portion of the total internalreflection of the incident light within the first optical waveguide; thefourth material having light scattering properties to frustrate aportion of the total internal reflection of the incident light withinthe first optical waveguide; a fifth material formed on a portion of thethird surface of the second optical waveguide; a sixth material formedon the fifth material; a seventh material formed on a portion of thefourth surface of the second optical waveguide; an eighth materialformed on the seventh material; the fifth material having lightscattering properties to frustrate a portion of the total internalreflection of the incident light within the second optical waveguide;the eighth material having light scattering properties to frustrate aportion of the total internal reflection of the incident light withinthe second optical waveguide.

The first optical waveguide may be spaced apart from the second opticalwaveguide.

A distance between the first optical waveguide and the second opticalwaveguide may be equal to half a thickness of the first opticalwaveguide.

The first optical waveguide may be parallel to the second opticalwaveguide.

A display device comprises a plurality of optical waveguides, eachoptical waveguide having a front surface, a back surface, and a lightsource interface surface; a light source, the light source directinglight upon the light source interface surfaces of each optical waveguideat an angle of incidence to provide total internal reflection of theincident light within each optical waveguide; each optical wave guidehaving formed thereon a first material formed on a portion of the frontsurface of each optical waveguide, the first material having lightscattering properties to frustrate a portion of the total internalreflection of the incident light within the optical waveguide; eachoptical wave guide having formed on the first material a secondmaterial; each optical wave guide having formed thereon a third materialformed on a portion of the back surface of each optical waveguide; eachoptical wave guide having formed on the third material a fourthmaterial, the fourth material having light scattering properties tofrustrate a portion of the total internal reflection of the incidentlight within the optical waveguide.

A distance between each optical waveguide may be equal to a thickness ofan optical waveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.

Each optical waveguide may be parallel thereto.

A display device comprises a plurality of optical waveguides, eachoptical waveguide having a front surface, a back surface, and a lightsource interface surface; a light source, the light source directinglight upon the light source interface surfaces of each optical waveguideat an angle of incidence to provide total internal reflection of theincident light within each optical waveguide; each optical wave guidehaving formed thereon a first material formed on a portion of the frontsurface of each optical waveguide, the first material having a firstsurface adjacent to the surface of the optical waveguide and a secondsurface away from the surface of the optical waveguide, the secondsurface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion of light beinginternally reflected within the optical waveguide.

A distance between each optical waveguide may be equal to a thickness ofan optical waveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.

Each optical waveguide may be parallel thereto.

A display device component comprises a first optical waveguide having afirst surface and a second surface; a second optical waveguide having athird surface and a fourth surface; a first material formed on a portionof the first surface of the first optical waveguide; a second materialformed on the first material; a third material formed on a portion ofthe second surface of the first optical waveguide; a fourth materialformed on the third material; the first material having light scatteringproperties to frustrate a portion of the total internal reflection ofthe incident light within the first optical waveguide; the fourthmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion ofthe total internal reflection of the incident light within the firstoptical waveguide; a fifth material formed on a portion of the thirdsurface of the second optical waveguide; a sixth material formed on thefifth material; a seventh material formed on a portion of the fourthsurface of the second optical waveguide; an eighth material formed onthe seventh material; the fifth material having light scatteringproperties to frustrate a portion of the total internal reflection ofthe incident light within the second optical waveguide; the eighthmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion ofthe total internal reflection of the incident light within the secondoptical waveguide.

The first optical waveguide may be spaced apart from the second opticalwaveguide.

A distance between the first optical waveguide and the second opticalwaveguide may be equal to half a thickness of the first opticalwaveguide.

The first optical waveguide may be parallel to the second opticalwaveguide.

A display device component comprises a plurality of optical waveguides,each optical waveguide having a front surface and a back surface; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a first material formed on aportion of the front surface of each optical waveguide, the firstmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion ofthe total internal reflection of the incident light within the opticalwaveguide; each optical wave guide having formed on the first material asecond material; each optical wave guide having formed thereon a thirdmaterial formed on a portion of the back surface of each opticalwaveguide; each optical wave guide having formed on the third material afourth material, the fourth material having light scattering propertiesto frustrate a portion of the total internal reflection of the incidentlight within the optical waveguide.

A distance between each optical waveguide may be equal to a thickness ofan optical waveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.

Each optical waveguide may be parallel thereto.

A display device component comprises a plurality of optical waveguides,each optical waveguide having a front surface and a back surface; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a first material formed on aportion of the front surface of each optical waveguide, the firstmaterial having a first surface adjacent to the surface of the opticalwaveguide and a second surface away from the surface of the opticalwaveguide, the second surface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion oflight being internally reflected within the optical waveguide; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a second material formed on aportion of the back surface of each optical waveguide; each optical waveguide having formed on the second material a third material, the thirdmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion ofthe total internal reflection of the incident light within the opticalwaveguide.

A distance between each optical waveguide may be equal to a thickness ofan optical waveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.

Each optical waveguide may be parallel thereto.

A display device component comprises a plurality of optical waveguides,each optical waveguide having a front surface and a back surface; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a first material formed on aportion of the front surface of each optical waveguide, the firstmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion ofthe total internal reflection of the incident light within the opticalwaveguide; each optical wave guide having formed on the first material asecond material.

A distance between each optical waveguide may be equal to a thickness ofan optical waveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.

Each optical waveguide may be parallel thereto.

A display device component comprises a plurality of optical waveguides,each optical waveguide having a front surface and a back surface; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a first material formed on aportion of the back surface of each optical waveguide; each optical waveguide having formed on the first material a second material, the secondmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion ofthe total internal reflection of the incident light within the opticalwaveguide.

A distance between each optical waveguide may be equal to a thickness ofan optical waveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.

Each optical waveguide may be parallel thereto.

A display device component comprises a plurality of optical waveguides,each optical waveguide having a front surface and a back surface; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a first material formed on aportion of the front surface of each optical waveguide, the firstmaterial having a first surface adjacent to the surface of the opticalwaveguide and a second surface away from the surface of the opticalwaveguide, the second surface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion oflight being internally reflected within the optical waveguide.

A distance between each optical waveguide may be equal to a thickness ofan optical waveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.

Each optical waveguide may be parallel thereto.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a firstsurface and a second surface; a first material formed on a portion ofthe first surface of the optical waveguide; a second material formed ona portion of the first material; and a third material formed on aportion of the second surface of the optical waveguide; the thirdmaterial having a first surface adjacent to the second surface of theoptical waveguide and a second surface away from the second surface ofthe optical waveguide; the second surface being non-smooth to frustratea portion of light being internally reflected within the opticalwaveguide; the second material having light scattering properties.

The first material may be a marking material and the third material maybe a marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material and thethird material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The non-white colored marking material may be ink.

The non-white colored marking material may be toner.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a firstsurface and a second surface; a first material formed on a portion ofthe first surface of the optical waveguide; a second material formed ona portion of the first material; and a third material formed on aportion of the second surface of the optical waveguide; the thirdmaterial having a first surface adjacent to the second surface of theoptical waveguide and a second surface away from the second surface ofthe optical waveguide; the second surface being non-smooth to frustratea portion of light being internally reflected within the opticalwaveguide; the second material having light scattering particlesembedded therein.

The first material may be a marking material and the third material maybe a marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

The first material may be a non-white colored marking material and thethird material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The non-white colored marking material may be ink.

The non-white colored marking material may be toner.

A display device component comprises a plurality of optical waveguides,each optical waveguide having a front surface and a back surface; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a first material formed on aportion of the front surface of each optical waveguide, the firstmaterial having a first surface adjacent to the surface of the opticalwaveguide and a second surface away from the surface of the opticalwaveguide, the second surface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion oflight being internally reflected within the optical waveguide; eachoptical wave guide having formed thereon a second material formed on aportion of the back surface of each optical waveguide; each optical waveguide having formed on the second material a third material, the thirdmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion ofthe total internal reflection of the incident light within the opticalwaveguide.

The first material may be a marking material and the second material maybe a marking material.

The third material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a frontsurface and a back surface; a first material formed on a portion of theback surface of the optical waveguide; a second material formed on thefirst material, the second material having light scattering propertiesto frustrate a portion of totally internally reflected light within theoptical waveguide; and a third material formed on the front surface ofthe optical waveguide, the third material having a first surfaceadjacent to the front surface of the optical waveguide and a secondsurface away from the front surface of the optical waveguide, the secondsurface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion of light beinginternally reflected within the optical waveguide.

The first material may be a non-white marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

The third material may be a non-white colored marking material.

The third material may be a non-white colored marking material having acolor distinct from a color of the first material.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a frontsurface and a back surface; a first material formed on a portion of theback surface of the optical waveguide, the first material having lightscattering properties to frustrate a portion of totally internallyreflected light within the optical waveguide; and a second materialformed on the front surface of the optical waveguide, the secondmaterial having light scattering properties to frustrate a portion oftotally internally reflected light within the optical waveguide.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a frontsurface and a back surface; a first material formed on a portion of thefront surface of the optical waveguide material, the first materialhaving light scattering properties to frustrate a portion of totallyinternally reflected light within the optical waveguide; a secondmaterial formed on the first material; and a third material formed onthe back surface of the optical waveguide, the third material havinglight scattering properties to frustrate a portion of totally internallyreflected light within the optical waveguide.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The second material may be a non-white marking material.

The third material may be a white colored marking material.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having a frontsurface and a back surface; a first material formed on a portion of thefront surface of the optical waveguide material; and a second materialformed on the back surface of the optical waveguide, the second materialhaving light scattering properties to frustrate a portion of totallyinternally reflected light within the optical waveguide.

The first material may be a non-white marking material.

The second material may be a white marking material.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide havingsurface; and a first material formed, in an image-wise manner, on thesurface of the optical waveguide to create a plurality of image regionshaving the first material, the first material having light scatteringproperties; the plurality of image regions including a first subset ofthe plurality of image regions having a first density of the firstmaterial, and a second subset of the plurality of image regions having asecond density of the first material; the first density of the firstmaterial not being equal to the second density of the first material tocreate areas of different brightness.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide havingsurface; and a first material formed, in an image-wise manner, on thesurface of the optical waveguide to create a plurality of image regionshaving the first material, the first material light scattering particlesembedded therein; the plurality of image regions including, a firstsubset of the plurality of image regions having a first density of thefirst material, and a second subset of the plurality of image regionshaving a second density of the first material; the first density of thefirst material not being equal to the second density of the firstmaterial to create areas of different brightness.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide havingsurface; and a first material formed, in an image-wise manner, on thesurface of the optical waveguide to create a plurality of image regionshaving the first material, the first material light scattering particlesembedded therein, each image region having an amount of the firstmaterial formed therein; the amount of the first material beingmodulated for each image region to create areas of different brightness.

The first material may be a white marking material.

The white marking material may be ink.

The white marking material may be toner.

A process for creating and reusing an optical waveguide utilized in anedge lighting illuminated display, comprises (a) forming a first markingmaterial marking on a portion of an optical waveguide having a surface,the first marking material being a UV curable ink and having lightscattering properties; (b) forming a second marking material on thefirst marking material; and (c) cleaning the surface of the opticalwaveguide, with a solvent, to remove the first marking material and thesecond marking material.

The solvent may be acetone.

The process may further comprise (d) mechanically scrubbing the surfaceof the optical waveguide to assist in the removal of the first markingmaterial and the second marking material.

A process for creating and reusing an optical waveguide utilized in anedge lighting illuminated display, comprises (a) forming a first markingmaterial marking on a portion of an optical waveguide having a surface,the first marking material being a UV ink and having light scatteringproperties; and (b) cleaning the surface of the optical waveguide, witha solvent, to remove the first marking material.

The solvent may be acetone.

The process may further comprise (c) mechanically scrubbing the surfaceof the optical waveguide to assist in the removal of the first markingmaterial and the second marking material.

A process for creating and reusing an optical waveguide utilized in anedge lighting illuminated display, comprises (a) forming a first markingmaterial on a portion of a surface of the optical waveguide, the firstmarking material being an UV curable ink and having a first surfaceadjacent to the surface of the optical waveguide and a second surfaceaway from the surface of the optical waveguide, the second surface beingnon-smooth to frustrate a portion of totally internally reflected lightwithin the optical waveguide; and (b) cleaning the surface of theoptical waveguide, with a solvent, to remove the first marking material.

The solvent may be acetone.

The process may further comprise (c) mechanically scrubbing the surfaceof the optical waveguide to assist in the removal of the first markingmaterial and the second marking material.

A process for smoothing a rough cut edge of an optical waveguide,comprises (a) flood coating a rough cut edge of an optical waveguidewith a curable fluid having an index of refraction substantially equalto an index of refraction of the optical waveguide; and (b) curing thefluid to create a smooth edge.

The curable fluid may be a clear UV curable ink. The curable fluid maybe a colored UV curable ink.

A process for smoothing an engraved area of a surface of an opticalwaveguide, comprises (a) flood coating an engraved area of a surface ofoptical waveguide with a curable fluid having an index of refractionsubstantially equal to an index of refraction of the optical waveguide;and (b) curing the fluid to create a smooth surface.

The curable fluid may be a clear UV curable ink.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a removable transparent layer adhered to the surface of theoptical waveguide; a first material formed on a portion of the removabletransparent layer; and a second material formed on a portion of thefirst material; the first material having light scattering particlesembedded therein.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image adhered to an optical waveguide, comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of a removable transparent medium,the first material having light scattering particles embedded therein;(b) forming a second material on the first material; and (c) adheringthe removable transparent medium to a surface of an optical waveguide.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a removable transparent layer adhered to the surface of theoptical waveguide; a first material formed on a portion of the removabletransparent layer; and a second material formed on the first material;the second material having light scattering particles embedded therein.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image adhered to an optical waveguide, comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of a removable transparent medium;(b) forming a second material on the first material, the second materialhaving light scattering particles embedded therein; and (c) adhering theremovable transparent medium to a surface of an optical waveguide.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a removable transparent layer adhered to the surface of theoptical waveguide; and a first material formed on a portion of a surfaceof the removable transparent layer; the first material having a firstsurface adjacent to the surface of the removable transparent layer and asecond surface away from the surface of the removable transparent layer;the second surface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion of lightbeing internally reflected within the optical waveguide.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

A process for making a display device component to enable image specificillumination of an image adhered to an optical waveguide, comprises (a)forming a first material on a portion of a surface of a removabletransparent medium, the first material having a first surface adjacentto the surface of the removable transparent medium and a second surfaceaway from the surface of the removable transparent medium, the secondsurface being non-smooth to frustrate a portion of light beinginternally reflected within the optical waveguide; and (b) adhering theremovable transparent medium to a surface of an optical waveguide.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a removable transparent layer adhered to the surface of theoptical waveguide; and a first material formed, in an image-wise manner,on the surface of the removable transparent layer to create a pluralityof image regions having the first material, the first material havinglight scattering particles embedded therein; the plurality of imageregions including, a first subset of the plurality of image regionshaving a first density of the first material, and a second subset of theplurality of image regions having a second density of the firstmaterial; the first density of the first material not being equal to thesecond density of the first material to create areas of differentbrightness.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

A display device component comprises an optical waveguide having asurface; a removable transparent layer adhered to the surface of theoptical waveguide; and a first material formed, in an image-wise manner,on the surface of the removable transparent layer to create a pluralityof image regions having the first material, the first material lightscattering particles embedded therein, each image region having anamount of the first material formed therein; the amount of the firstmaterial being modulated for each image region to create areas ofdifferent brightness.

The first material may be a UV curable marking material and the secondmaterial may be a UV curable marking material.

The removable transparent layer may be a clear removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a clear removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection. Theremovable transparent layer may be a colored removable transparentmedium having an index of refraction substantially equal to the opticalwaveguide to support total internal reflection or a colored removabletranslucent medium having an index of refraction substantially equal tothe optical waveguide to support total internal reflection.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, oralternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systemsor applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is alsointended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device component comprising: an opticalwaveguide having a smooth front surface and a smooth back surface; anon-white material formed on a portion of said smooth back surface ofsaid optical waveguide, said non-white material forming a pattern onsaid smooth back surface of said optical waveguide, said non-whitematerial having a first surface adjacent to said smooth back surface ofsaid optical waveguide and a second surface away from said smooth backsurface of said optical waveguide, said second surface of said non-whitematerial being smooth; a first material formed on said second surface ofsaid non-white material, said first material having light scatteringproperties to frustrate a portion of totally internally reflected lightwithin said optical waveguide such that when said optical waveguide isilluminated by a light source, said pattern formed by said non-whitematerial is visible by viewing said smooth front surface of said opticalwaveguide and said pattern formed by said non-white material is visibleby viewing said smooth back surface of said optical waveguide; and asecond material formed on said smooth front surface of said opticalwaveguide, said second material forming a pattern on said front smoothsurface of said optical waveguide, said second material having a firstsurface adjacent to said smooth front surface of said optical waveguideand a second surface away from said smooth front surface of said opticalwaveguide, said second surface being non-smooth, said non-smooth secondsurface frustrating a portion of light being internally reflected withinsaid optical waveguide.
 2. The display device component as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said non-white material is a non-white markingmaterial.
 3. The display device component as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid first material is a white marking material.
 4. The display devicecomponent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second material is anon-white colored marking material.
 5. The display device component asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said second material is a non-white coloredmarking material having a color distinct from a color of said non-whitematerial.
 6. A display device component comprising: an optical waveguidehaving a smooth front surface and a smooth back surface; a firstmaterial formed on a portion of said smooth back surface of said opticalwaveguide, said first material having a smooth first surface adjacent tosaid smooth back surface of said optical waveguide and a smooth secondsurface away from said smooth back surface of said optical waveguide,said first material having light scattering particles embedded therein,said embedded light scattering particles frustrating a portion oftotally internally reflected light within said optical waveguide; and asecond material formed on said smooth front surface of said opticalwaveguide, said second material having a smooth first surface adjacentto said smooth front surface of said optical waveguide and a smoothsecond surface away from said smooth front surface of said opticalwaveguide, said second material having light scattering particlesembedded therein, said embedded light scattering particles frustrating aportion of totally internally reflected light within said opticalwaveguide.
 7. The display device component as claimed in claim 6,wherein said first material is a white marking material.
 8. The displaydevice component as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second material isa white marking material.
 9. A display device component comprising: anoptical waveguide having a smooth front surface and a smooth backsurface; a first material formed on a portion of said smooth frontsurface of said optical waveguide material, said first material havinglight scattering particles embedded therein; a non-white material formedon said first material, said non-white material forming a pattern; and asecond material formed on said smooth back surface of said opticalwaveguide, said second material forming a pattern, said second materialhaving light scattering particles embedded therein, said embedded lightscattering particles frustrating a portion of totally internallyreflected light within said optical waveguide such that when saidoptical waveguide is illuminated by a light source, said pattern formedby said second material is visible by viewing said smooth front surfaceof said optical waveguide and said pattern formed by said secondmaterial is visible by viewing said smooth back surface of said opticalwaveguide; said light scattering particles embedded in said firstmaterial frustrating a portion of totally internally reflected lightwithin said optical waveguide such that when said optical waveguide isilluminated by a light source, said pattern formed by said non-whitematerial is only visible by viewing said smooth front surface of saidoptical waveguide and said pattern formed by said non-white material isnot visible by viewing said smooth back surface of said opticalwaveguide.
 10. The display device component as claimed in claim 9,wherein said first material is a white marking material.
 11. The displaydevice component as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second material isa non-white marking material.
 12. The display device component asclaimed in claim 9, wherein said third material is a white coloredmarking material.
 13. A display device component comprising: an opticalwaveguide having a smooth front surface and a smooth back surface; anon-white material formed on a portion of said smooth front surface ofsaid optical waveguide material, said non-white material forming apattern; and a material formed on said smooth back surface of saidoptical waveguide, said material forming a pattern, said material havinglight scattering particles embedded therein, said embedded lightscattering particles frustrating a portion of totally internallyreflected light within said optical waveguide such that when saidoptical waveguide is illuminated by a light source, said pattern formedby said non-white material is visible by viewing said smooth frontsurface of said optical waveguide and said pattern formed by saidmaterial is visible by viewing said smooth back surface of said opticalwaveguide and by viewing said smooth front surface of said opticalwaveguide.
 14. The display device component as claimed in claim 13,wherein said first material is a non-white marking material.
 15. Thedisplay device component as claimed in claim 13, wherein said secondmaterial is a white marking material.
 16. A display device componentcomprising: a first optical waveguide having a smooth first surface anda smooth second surface; a second optical waveguide having a smooththird surface and a smooth fourth surface; a first material formed on aportion of said smooth first surface of said first optical waveguide; asecond material formed on said first material, said second materialforming a pattern; a third material formed on a portion of said smoothsecond surface of said first optical waveguide, said third materialforming a pattern; a fourth material formed on said third material; saidfirst material having light scattering particles embedded therein, saidembedded light scattering particles frustrating a portion of totallyinternally reflected light within said first optical waveguide such thatwhen said first optical waveguide is illuminated by a light source, saidpattern formed by said second material is only visible by viewing saidsmooth first surface of said first optical waveguide and said patternformed by said second material is not visible by viewing said smoothsecond surface of said first optical waveguide; said fourth materialhaving light scattering particles embedded therein, said embedded lightscattering particles frustrating a portion of totally internallyreflected light within said first optical waveguide such that when saidfirst optical waveguide is illuminated by a light source, said patternformed by said third material is visible by viewing said smooth firstsurface of said first optical waveguide; a fifth material formed on aportion of said smooth third surface of said second optical waveguide; asixth material formed on said fifth material, said sixth materialforming a pattern; a seventh material formed on a portion of said smoothfourth surface of said second optical waveguide, said seventh materialforming a pattern; an eighth material formed on said seventh material;said fifth material having light scattering particles embedded therein,said embedded light scattering particles frustrating a portion oftotally internally reflected light within said second optical waveguidesuch that when said second optical waveguide is illuminated by a lightsource, said pattern formed by said sixth material is only visible byviewing said smooth first surface of said first optical waveguide andsaid pattern formed by said sixth material is not visible by viewingsaid smooth second surface of said second optical waveguide; said eighthmaterial having light scattering particles embedded therein, saidembedded light scattering particles frustrating a portion of totallyinternally reflected light within said second optical waveguide suchthat when said second optical waveguide is illuminated by a lightsource, said pattern formed by said seventh material is visible byviewing said smooth first surface of said optical waveguide.
 17. Thedisplay device component as claimed in claim 16, wherein said firstoptical waveguide is spaced apart from said second optical waveguide.18. The display device component as claimed in claim 17, wherein adistance between said first optical waveguide and said second opticalwaveguide is equal to half a thickness of said first optical waveguide.19. The display device component as claimed in claim 17, wherein saidfirst optical waveguide is parallel to said second optical waveguide.20. A display device component comprising: a plurality of opticalwaveguides, each optical waveguide having a smooth front surface and asmooth back surface; each optical waveguide guide having formed thereona first material formed on a portion of said smooth front surface ofeach optical waveguide, said first material having light scatteringparticles embedded therein; each optical waveguide guide having, formedon said first material, a second material, said second material forminga pattern; each optical waveguide guide having formed thereon a thirdmaterial formed on a portion of said smooth back surface of each opticalwaveguide, said third material forming a pattern; each optical waveguideguide having, formed on said third material, a fourth material, saidfourth material having light scattering particles embedded therein; saidlight scattering particles embedded in said first material frustrating aportion of totally internally reflected light within each opticalwaveguide such that when each optical waveguide is illuminated by alight source, said pattern formed by said first material is only visibleby viewing said smooth front surface of each optical waveguide and saidpattern formed by said first material is not visible by viewing saidsmooth back surface of each optical waveguide; said light scatteringparticles embedded in said fourth material frustrating a portion oftotally internally reflected light within each optical waveguide suchthat when each optical waveguide is illuminated by a light source, saidpattern formed by said fourth material is only visible by viewing saidsmooth front surface of each optical waveguide and said pattern formedby said fourth material is not visible by viewing said smooth backsurface of each optical waveguide.
 21. The display device component asclaimed in claim 20, wherein a distance between each optical waveguideis equal to a thickness of an optical waveguide divided by a number ofoptical waveguides.
 22. The display device component as claimed in claim20, wherein each optical waveguide is parallel thereto.
 23. A displaydevice component comprising: a plurality of optical waveguides, eachoptical waveguide having a smooth front surface and a smooth backsurface; each optical waveguide guide having formed thereon a firstmaterial formed on a portion of said smooth front surface of eachoptical waveguide, said first material forming a pattern, said firstmaterial having a first surface adjacent to the smooth front surface ofthe optical waveguide and a second surface away from the smooth frontsurface of the optical waveguide, the second surface being non-smooth,said non-smooth second surface frustrating a portion of light beinginternally reflected within said optical waveguide such that when eachoptical waveguide is illuminated by a light source, said pattern formedby said first material is visible by viewing said smooth front surfaceof each optical waveguide; each optical waveguide guide having formedthereon a second material formed on a portion of said smooth backsurface of each optical waveguide, said second material forming apattern; each optical waveguide guide having, formed on said secondmaterial, a third material, said third material having light scatteringparticles embedded therein, said embedded light scattering particlesfrustrating a portion of totally internally reflected light within saidoptical waveguide such that when each optical waveguide is illuminatedby a light source, said pattern formed by said second material isvisible by viewing said smooth front surface of each optical waveguide.24. The display device as claimed in claim 23, wherein a distancebetween each optical waveguide is equal to a thickness of an opticalwaveguide divided by a number of optical waveguides.
 25. The displaydevice as claimed in claim 23, wherein each optical waveguide isparallel thereto.